You can never deny that homegrown tomatoes are certainly a top grosser. You love it and you want more of it.
But the fresh tomatoes you have in your homes are not products of one day labor.
The 4 Most Common Growing Tomato Diseases and Tomato Conditions
To have a piece of the best, you need to work for it and you need to be very cautious of some problems that may be observed as your tomatoes grow.
These problems may be caused by natural conditions while most are caused by diseases, viruses and pests.
But hey, you don’t have to worry so much. These troubles are very easy to handle especially if you could handle them earlier.
Here are the signs that you should look for in able to avoid tomato growing problems.
Check also The 6 easy steps to Grow Tomato Plants at Home and The Common Tomato Diseases Caused by Bacteria & Fungus
1- These green patches signals
You need to observe if green patches are evident on your fruit. These green patches signals that your tomato plant is exposed too much to the sun.
This will later lead to fruits that will turn yellow instead of red.
2- Blossom End Rot Tomato
Blossom end rot is another problem that you might encounter as you grow your tomatoes. This is the condition wherein the fruit rots down.
This disease occurs because of the lack of calcium or if there is an irregular water intake on your plant.
Early signs of blossom end rot are the black spots that are formed on the bottom of your tomato’s blossom (just like how it is named).
Read also The Top 4 way to Control Garden Pests (Naturally & Chemical)
3- Tomato Diseases: Tomato plant infection
The most common symptom for tomato plant infection is actually checked through the observation of the leaves of the plant:
- If the leaves that are found at the lowest part of the stem bows down and when there are brown stripes formed at the midribs, that means the plant may soon suffer from Bacterial Canker.
- If there are black spots on leaves specially the old ones, this is a symptom of Early Blight.
This later on will continue until it includes the stems and even the fruits.
4- Darkening or Yellowing of the leaves
Other symptoms of Tomato Diseases/ Problems you need to observe to detect :
- early tomato problems are darkening
- or yellowing of the leaves,
- the sudden falling off of your tomato plant’s leaves,
- discoloration and black spot formations on your stem and fruits,
- wilting of the leaves
- and the discoloration of the stems.
Detection of tomato growing problems can be done with a very keen eye. And problems can occur anytime. It can attack the stems, the roots, the leaves and worst the fruits.
“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” but if you really can’t prevent it especially if the major factors are beyond your control, then you just have to work things out.
With your every bite of the succulent tomatoes you have labored in your homes, you’ll definitely feel one of the freshest experiences.
And for that you can’t help but ask for more. You’ll realize how these sweet fruit creates a blast as you take a bite one after the other. And you’ll tell yourself that despite the work you poured in growing your plants, it was indeed worth it.
How to Avoid Common Growing Tomatoes Problems ?
1- Soil and air temperature
Soil and air temperature are both considered. By checking your soil at 2 inch depth in one week, you have to make sure that it is between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in order to assure optimum growth.
Planting seeds outdoor before the air and soil; temperature warm up will not guarantee an early tomato fruiting. Either setting the blossom happens or the blossom drops after setting.
A lot of time and labor have been invested in protecting the plant from harmful elements if placed outdoor early.
The growth of the plant will be slower compared to those that are brought up at a warm temperature.
You can start with the seeds indoor and have it transplanted later, or seedlings may be brought. In addition, start transplanting it when the temperature is right.
Read also How to Grow Tomatoes in Different Temperatures.
2- Harden the plants
It is necessary to harden the plants first before you move them from the house or greenhouse towards the garden.
At day time, the plant can be placed in a shaded area, while at night; it can be transferred into the garage or basement.
Performing this routine one week or 2 before planting will condition your plant.
3- Avoid planting tomatoes in the same locations
You need to avoid planting tomatoes in the same locations in a year. It is suggested to use other crops in order to prevent disease. Growing problems can be countered act by proper soil preparation.
You have to prepare the plant by digging the soil deeply, and a fertilizer or manure can be added to the soil. It is necessary to cover the stem until the main foliage.
Read more about Tomatoes Diseases on Dealing with Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
4- Distance between Tomatoes Plants
The distance when planting must be considered. It should be at least three feet apart in rows and two feet apart from each other.
A support must be made in order to avoid the plant from touching the ground.
The plant may be tied to a stick which is six feet buried into the ground as they grow. Keep in mind to water the plants deeply once a week since tomatoes grow at least 4 feet deep.
5- Tomato Seeds Germination
It will take five to seven days for tomato seeds to germinate. For long hours, the new seedlings must be placed under the sun, because without the sun, they can get spindly.
Seedling transplant can be done 6 – 8 weeks when the plant had reached a desired growth. It is also best to transplant once the plant has 4 to 6 true leaves already.
6- The Tomato Hardening off
Hardening off is a process when tender plants needs to get used of the outdoor environment and it should be completed before the seedlings are moved outside.
At day time, the seedlings are placed in a sunny location. At night, they are all covered to help them adapt to the outdoor environment and this should be consistently done in 7 days.
7- Growing Tomatoes Problems when purchasing plants at the nursery
In purchasing plants at the nursery, it is essential to find wind, as well as tall plants. It is also vital to pick disease-resistant plants because such illness can destroy your tomato garden during summer days.
These types of seedlings are also protected from small parasitic worms that dwell on the roots which significantly causes the slow growth and wilting of the plants.
To start planting tomato, you should take note of the following factors to avoid problems growing tomato and have healthy and delicious tomatoes!